if they share them with you. Acknowledge your friend’s feelings by letting them know that you have heard them and that you are sympathetic to their plight. Name the feeling they have expressed and let them know that you are sorry for what they are going through.  For example, if a friend shares with you about the difficult time they have been having with a coworker or classmate, you could say something like, “It sounds like you have been getting bullied by this person. I’m so sorry you have had to go through that.” Or, if your friend shares with you about the sadness they have been feeling since their parents’ divorce, you might say something like, “You’ve had such a difficult year. I’m sorry you’ve been feeling so sad.” If you don’t see your friend on a regular basis, calling or texting them once or twice per week is a good way to help them. Ask how they are, what’s new, and if there’s anything you can do to help them. For example, you might call or text your friend, “Hey Angie! Thinking about you! How’s your week going so far?” Having things to look forward to can help your friend to stay positive and feel better if they have been struggling. Try to include your friend in your plans with other people at least once per week. For example, you could ask your friend to go bowling with you and some other friends on the weekend, make plans to check out a new restaurant or café together, or invite them over for a movie night at your place. Hobbies, sports, and other special interests can help people to feel validated and happy in their daily lives. If your friend used to participate in activities and they no longer have the time or interest, you might encourage them to get into them again.  Try saying something like, “Remember when you took that baking class and made all those beautiful cakes? You’re so talented! Maybe getting back into baking would help you feel better.” Or, you could say, “You were always so active with student government in high school. Do you think you might like to do that in college as well?”
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One-sentence summary -- Validate their feelings Call or text your friend 1-2 times per week to check up on them. Invite your friend to hang out with you and other people. Ask your friend what activities might make them feel better.


Place a strainer over a measuring cup, then pour the pineapple chunks into the strainer. Jiggle the strainer to get any last juice out, then set the strainer aside. Take a look at the measuring cup, and make sure that if you have about 1 cup (240 milliliters of pineapple juice. If you don't, add water until you have enough to fill 1 cup (240 milliliters). Pour the pineapple juice into a large skillet. Pour ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) of water into the skillet, then add the vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Stir the ingredients together with a mini whisk or fork until everything is combined. Stir the sauce often with a rubber spatula to prevent it from scorching or forming a skin on top. Reduce the heat to low and let everything cook, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are heated and cooked through. You will need about ½ cup (125 grams) of cooked rice per person. White rice would be the most traditional, but you can also use brown rice instead, if you'd like a healthier meal.
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One-sentence summary -- Drain the canned pineapple chunks, save the juice, and set the chunks aside. Make sure that you have about 1 cup (240 milliliters) of pineapple juice, then pour it into a large skillet. Stir in the water, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Cook the sauce over medium heat until it turns thick. Add the pineapple chunks, meatballs, and green bell pepper, and simmer for about 20 minutes. Serve the meatballs over rice.


There is no reason why the beans need to sit without flavor for 2 hours while they cook! After you've covered the dried beans with water and have the heat set to boil, toss in the following to cook alongside the beans for 1-2 hours. When done cooking, remove and discard before proceeding:  1 half white onion, whole 2-3 cloves garlic 1 large sprig epazote or Mexican oregano Kick up the flavor with some of the most popular additions to a good pot of refried beans. Each of these flavors can be added after the onions, with the garlic, depending on how long you want them to cook. They will all mash up wonderfully with the beans.  Can of fire-roasted peppers Can of green chilis Chipotle peppers canned in adobo sauce  1/2 fresh green bell pepper, chopped sauteed alongside the onion. Cooked, chopped bacon bits. While some people love the simple, but rich, flavor of plain beans, every now and then you'll want a little extra kick to your dish. You can add a flavored stock or broth in place of the bean liquid to give a little more flavor to the beans, omitting the bean cooking liquid. Refried beans are a decidedly Latin American dish, but at their heart the are just a smooth, cooked bean paste, which has inspirations from across the globe. If you want to use navy or cannellini beans, nothing is stopping you, and some adjusted spices can make them an appealing dish in their own right:  When cooking the beans the first time in the water, add half an onion, a sprig of rosemary or thyme, and 2-3 cloves fresh garlic. You can also add bay leaves, celery, and whole carrots as the beans boil. Fry up onion and garlic, like normal. Discard anything boiled with beans and add to pot. Replace cumin/chili with any combination of the following spices:  Rosemary Thyme Oregano Basil A touch of cumin (1/2 teaspoon)   Drizzle finished beans with fresh lemon juice. Beans love to cook slowly, absorbing liquid as they do to stay tender and creamy as they cook. Once cooked, all you are really waiting for are the flavors to marry and develop without the beans drying out. This makes refried beans perfect for the moist, warm environment of a slow cooker, and they couldn't be easier:  Add dried beans, finely chopped onion and garlic, and 2 teaspoons of salt to the pot. Add any desired spices, such as 1 tablespoon cumin and chili powder. If desired, add pork/ham bones or bacon strips for a richer flavor. Cover everything with water. Cook for 8-10 hours, adding more liquid if the beans seem to be drying out.
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One-sentence summary --
Add some flavor to the beans as they boil for a rich, nuanced dish. Add other vegetables or additions to your pot before adding the beans. Substitute chicken, vegetable, or beef stock for your bean liquid while cooking for more flavor. Try an Italian-inspired refried bean dish with white beans. Try the whole dish in a slow cooker for an easy, all-day recipe that just have to heat.